WALSALL V YEOVIL: MATCH PREVIEW

9 August 2016

Daniel Briggs

Our 2016/17 EFL Cup campaign gets underway tonight...

Walsall will be looking to book their place in the EFL Cup second round with victory over League Two Yeovil this evening. Both sides enter tonight’s tie on the back of comfortable opening-day wins against Wimbledon and Notts County respectively. The Saddlers reached the third round last season, beating Championship teams Nottingham Forest and Brighton en route, before succumbing to then-holders Chelsea. Yeovil, meanwhile, were beaten 3-0 by QPR in round one and will be hoping to reach the second round for the first time since 2013.

Walsall: 4th in League One – P1 W1 D0 L0 F3 A1 PTS3

Yeovil: 4th in League Two - P1 W1 D0 L0 F2 A0 PTS3

6th August – Walsall 3-1 AFC Wimbledon – League One

Clinical Walsall began the 2016/17 League One season in style with a comfortable win over newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon. Erhun Oztumer’s stunning seventh-minute free-kick put the Saddlers ahead and Jackson bundled home a second before half-time. The forward made it 3-0 with a close-range volley after the break, before Lyle Taylor scored a late penalty for Wimbledon.

First-half goals from Kevin Dawson and Otis Khan earned Yeovil a deserved opening-day victory over Notts County. Dawson pounced on a fumble by County keeper Adam Collin to put the Glovers ahead on 16 minutes. Debutant Khan wrapped up a comfortable win with a simple tap-in after Ryan Hedges’ shot was parried.

Jordy Hiwula scored the only goal as Walsall edged past bottom club Yeovil. Tom Bradshaw saw a first-half spot-kick saved by Scott Loach after the keeper had brought down Hiwula. But the Saddlers went ahead on 32 minutes, Hiwula with a low right-footed shot which went through Loach. The home side had their chances, with James Hayter hitting the bar and Adam Morgan having a late penalty kept out by Richard O’Donnell.

The 36-year-old took charge of Yeovil in December 2015 and guided the Glovers to League Two safety last term. He enjoyed three spells with the Somerset club as a player and helped them win three promotions, as well as the FA Trophy.

Yeovil Star Man: Otis Khan

The former Manchester United youngster enjoyed an impressive debut for Yeovil on Saturday, scoring their second goal in a 2-0 win over Notts County. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder signed from Barnsley in the summer and has previously played for Sheffield United, Matlock and Barrow.

Manager Jon Whitney is expected to make several changes. Jim O'Connor will be assessed ahead of tonight's game after sustaining a head injury in Saturday's win against Wimbledon.

Robert Jones

The Merseyside-based official refereed Mansfield’s 3-2 victory at Newport in League Two on Saturday. He has been promoted to the EFL this season following two years in the National League.

If you are not attending the game, make sure you tune into Saddlers Player for full uninterrupted commentary at www.player.saddlers.co.uk.

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